Laura Johnsen

About Laura Johnsen

I currently am an R&D Project Manager within the Advanced Surgery division of Baxter International. In this role, I leverage my PMP certification and 12 years of research experience to support product development, improving the delivery of innovative and impactful projects. I work with cross-functional teams to coordinate, monitor, and communicate the progress, risks, and issues of multiple R&D programs, ensuring alignment with the company\'s strategic objectives and regulatory requirements.I previously served as a project manager at Valent Biosciences, working to establish the project management office.Before this, I held roles as a Research Program Manager and researcher at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, where I demonstrated expertise in leading cross-functional teams from early drug discovery to IND submission. My strong communication and interpersonal skills, ability to inspire and lead professionals, and build strategic relations with cross-functional teams and senior leadership have been instrumental in my previous roles.I am passionate about advancing scientific knowledge and improving the lives of patients across multiple disease areas, including rare and complex diseases. My strong scientific background, combined with my project management skills, enables me to contribute to cutting-edge research in both the pharmaceutical and biotech spaces.

Experience

1. Project Manager, R & d, Advanced Surgery

   Baxter International Inc.

   Jul 2025 — Present

Education

• Loyola University Chicago

  Master's Degree, Microbiology and Immunology

  2012 — 2014

• University of Arizona

  Bachelor's Degree, Environmental Microbiology

  2008 — 2012